Chapter 11 and Brown Bag Meeting

JOURNALISM AS CONVERSATION: ENCOURAGING THE AUDIENCE

It is exceedingly clear that Journalism today is drastically different than it was 50 years ago. It is more than just getting a newspaper on your door step from the paper boy every morning. It is up close, personal, breaking, and everyone is in the now. 
Thanks to the internet we can get information instantly and find updates quicker than ever before. 

The challenge Journalists are faced with everyday is understanding their audience. Once a reporter has built a mutual respect from an audience he/she needs to make sure the readers are being heard and their needs are met. 

In PRODUCING ONLINE NEWS Chapter 11 discusses building a relationship with a Journalists audience. The book encourages bloggers to read and respond to comments left by visitors. What I found most interesting in the chapter was how to respond to vulgar comments left by users and how to build a respectful site and fewer disrespectful comments. Specific guidelines should be listed somewhere in the blog for people to easily access. Also, to politely remove comments that are not within your blog guidelines and post a note saying you removed it. 

Keep your private life separate from work life. 
Family and friends vs. Work and Followers
If a Journalist wants a private Facebook or Twitter account for friends and family that is always encouraged. On a personal level, I think it is best to still act professional and keep your opinions to yourself or at least offline even still with friends and family. 
It is not like Las Vegas. What happens on the internet, stays on the internet. 

The book uses a great example. In 2009 ABC News Political Reporter Terry Moran tweeted a negative comment about President Obama about Kanye West's outburst at the VMA's directed towards Taylor Swifts win. 
I could not say this any better than what the book says so I will quote it. 

"Moran did two things he probably would not have done on any of his television reports: he had disclosed an off-the-record comment by Obama and he injected his personal opinion about the behavior of the president. Moran removed the posting later the same day, and ABC News issued an apology to the White House for "prematurely" tweeting Obama's comments." -Producing Online News Digital Skills, and better Stories. 
It is refreshing to know that even a reporter of that status still makes big mistakes that could have possibly cost him his reputation. 

We all need to remember going into Journalism that our opinions may matter but how we act and handle ourselves is so much more important. Grace and dignity is a lesson we all try to live by in our lives and especially as a reporter it is something we practice everyday. We are human too! 

BROWN BAG MEETING JANUARY 31ST @ 11AM

I have mentioned this before in my earlier posts that this is only my second semester at Cerritos College. Well, this is only my first full year in Long Beach. I am originally from San Diego North County. So, meeting new people is intimidating for me because I tend to be quite the introvert. After my first class with Mr.Cameron I got very excited to know just how great the Journalism program is here at Cerritos College. Can't wait to meet fellow Journalists. 
I will pack my lunch and and be there tomorrow! 

Gun Control in California

There are 313,914,040 living in the United States. 
300 Million citizens own an assault weapon. 
67% of those people own a a firearm for protection against crime.

These statistics can be found on statistic brain dot com. 

What does that say for us Californians? Well, there are exactly 38,041,430 of us which makes us the 2nd behind Texas to be the state that owns the most guns. 

Mr. Cameron gave us an assignment to work on using the website Storify. (You should visit the page here)
At first glance of this I was not sure how it worked and if I would do the project the way he wanted it done. What I learned is how great Storify is. I worked with Daniel Noah and Alex Capilla to create our first story on Storify. I encourage you to take a look at our story, we worked very hard on it. You can click the link at the bottom of the page. 

We discussed California's reactions to the Newtown incident and the legislation, along with the communities reactions on stricter gun laws preventing tragedies in school shootings. 

From the information I gathered I came to the conclusion that us Californians are divided on the issue. The laws on our gun ownership is the most strict in the entire U.S! Yet, we are one of six states that allows concealed weapons on school campuses. 

The NRA wants to arm two teachers in every school with a concealed weapon and police to have assault/semi automatic weapons on them at all times. 

Daniel, Alex, and I had a discussion after our gathered research and analysis of our Storify story. We agreed putting our honest opinions on gun control in a brief conclusion would be an ideal way to end our blog. 

Daniel is very divided on the subject. He waited for myself and Alex to speak before he gave his opinion. I felt this is a smart journalistic tactic because it shows that he wants to know about his peers views and feelings in order to gather information necessary to make his own conclusion. 

Alex made a very intelligent, well informed, thought out opinion on his views towards gun control. His family own gun(s) and his father taught him how to use it properly and safely. He said he would feel more safe if he was able to carry a gun on him. No one should have to go through being threatened with a knife, gun, or any type of weapon. For Alex, his personal experiences made his feelings towards gun control in favor of more strict laws on the purchase of guns. He feels that people should be evaluated before they are able to make a purchase, although California already has laws for that he feels it should be stressed more. 

As for myself, I live with my Aunt and Uncle who have a handgun. My Aunt feels safer knowing its there and my Uncle feels it is necessary to be prepared for the worse. My other Uncle owns 6 guns and or rifles. My father was a member of the NRA and often goes hunting using his rifles. I come from an all American gun happy family. I believe in our United States Constitution's Second Amendments right to Bear Arms. That right will never be taken away. So, stricter gun control in order to protect our children from outbursts of gun violence in schools from a person suffering from mental instability? I say yes. 

A better question to ask me would be: Would you feel safer knowing there are semi automatic weapons on Cerritos College Campus? 

My answer would be: No

Why?
This has been my second semester here at Cerritos College. I have had classes that range from 6:30am to 9:00pm at night. I am there all hours of the day and I have never seen a Police officer get out of his or her car parked by the big back parking lot. I see them during the day but never at night. I have never seen them patrolling or even interacting with students or visitors. What would make me feel safer at my school is knowing my officers care about the students they have vowed to protect. A post perhaps of the sharif in charge of the school's police? I cannot find a link to our police department page, only an emergency text alert with their phone number at the bottom. 

I have no doubt Cerritos Police Department is armed and has more than enough training to act in a hostile situation. If I was being attacked I would hope my schools police would act to protect me rather than run to their safe to grab a semi automatic rifle. 

Are more guns the answer? 
Should we be more aware of our surroundings and more informed on self defense tactics? 

I will let you answer that for yourself. 

Do not forget to check out mine, Alex, and Daniel's Storify! 
Gun Control in California 

You can find Daniel Garcia and Alex Capilla's blogger on my multimedia links. But here is an easier access for you. 
Alex Capilla Multimedia blog 
Daniel Garcia's Mulitmedia blog  

DEALING WITH STRESS

I think we can all agree that stress has a major role in each of our lives and how we deal with that can really effect our health and happiness. I am taking a full schedule this semester for the first time since I was 18. 
I'm ready to do this and get my degrees. Most people have a hard time figuring out what they want out of life and what they expect life to hand them. 
Me? I have always known. Although, never had an opportunity to grab it without a fight. For the first time in my life I am able to go to school full time and work minimal hours to finish college and become a Journalist. 

I have one problem though. STRESS AND MIGRAINES. 
I deal with stress horribly, I just let it eat me alive. Between my full school schedule and not naturally being a morning person (6:30am class shoot me in the foot) paying my bills, filing for financial aid, working full time on the weekends and in between that trying to eat and sleep...the life of a college student is no picnic but we can all agree it is way better than not being a college student. 
I am a B student who struggles to get an A. I need the homework assignments to understand in order to get a C on my quizzes and tests. I have never been that student who can never study and still somehow get an A. I want a doctorates someday and if I'm lucky it would be the pleasure and my dream to get a PhD. 
So, for me, college is way more than just "I got a degree to get a good job" its my career, my investment, my life's pursuit of happiness! 
I care about being on time to class, finishing my assigned work, and listening to the lectures and advice professors give me. 
All this stress I put on myself only ends in one result...very...very...terrible...MIGRAINES.
I also need to remember that balance is necessary to success and happiness. A journalist has passion. Sometimes that passion can be overwhelming and its necessary to take a step back and just relax. 

So, my advice to myself and my readers is this: Take it one step at a time. Drink lots of water. And if it gets worse, go see a doctor. On that note, I must go now or I will miss my appointment!

In case you have the same problems I do trying to handle stress and migraines, heres a helpful blog about ways to deal with it. 

7 ways to manage stress

Be Authentic

"Make sure your writing is Authentic."

    I have read all of Chapter 10 in my assigned book for class and the major theme in the chapter was about blogging and online news reporting. Although the chapter was full of information describing blog start ups for beginners one key theme was shouting at me. Be Authentic. 

    I care about my writing and how it needs to read with witty writing that flows like a melody whilst sounding professional and informed. All these thoughts run through my head during my writing and often times I get intimidated when I read my peers work. It is this lack of self confidence and need to impress and be original that always makes me get ahead of myself. I focus so much on trying to be unique when that creativity should just come naturally. 
Ryan M. Thornburg dedicated a whole page to writing technique and style, he calls it "Developing a Conversational Voice". It is the new age of news writing for blogs. He talks about knowing your audience and to give a brief, informed, and well written article that reads like a conversation rather than a formal statement.

    My uncle is one of the best writers I will ever know and I would consider him a lost genius of his time. This is not because he has a high IQ or won a MacArthur Genius grant, it is because he wants to read and has this rare admiring thirst for knowledge. Through his 54 years on this earth I believe he is and always will be my greatest inspiration because he made me realize I want to be a Journalist. I always ask for his critique on my work and no matter if it is good, bad, or great he always reads it thoroughly without interruption. He must wear his reading glasses so close to the tip of his nose and sometimes lip reads to himself (which is very nerve wracking). Not once will he look up at me or pause to make a comment. Once he is finished he will put the paper down on his lap or fold it up nicely then his eyes will intently find their way to my view, this, of course all being done without any movement of his head, he will stare for just a moment and then proceed to say...

                "What is writing Megan?" 

     My response is usually an unenthusiastic...
                    "Rewriting..."  
     My uncle has made me a better writer and I always make sure my work is original. As a journalist I need to start writing in a different way but still hold the great lessons and values of polished work my uncle has taught me. 
        Reading "Developing a Conversational Voice" I took a moment and realized that to be a journalist is to write for those who not only seek to be informed but inspire those that may not care, to care. My writing must reflect this notion and it will be something I will strive for my whole career as a future journalist. Be a voice for the people. 

           I will leave you with one more piece of new found knowledge I came across while reading Chapter 10. The first blogger before the internet and father of all journalists, Edward R. Murrow. I watched this hour long documentary he made about farm pickers. This aired on thanksgiving day in 1960 and it is one of the most celebrated documentaries of all time. 

If you have an hour to spare...you should think about spending it watching this. 
                                         
                            Harvest of Shame by Edward R. Murrow
   

    

My multimedia

Dearest reader, 

My name is Megan Melissa Diaz. I want to be an artist. I have a creative mind and the best way for me to show you my interests are to show you links to whimsical, delightful, moving, and passionate blogs that attempt to explain my fastidious overcharged brain.

Questions and Comments are left after the beep.

NO REFUNDS. Please come again. 
Enjoy

Yours truly, Megan 

We can start with my little dirty secret. 
Sunday night ritual

AMY GOODMAN I AM YOUR BIGGEST FAN. Let me fetch you coffee someday!
The LAtimes has great blogs they post to tribute to independent photojournalists and photographers. I found this one particularly moving and most definitely worth 5 minutes of your day. Open my eyes

Personal experiences have taught me this: Being homeless really helps bring color to life. You can learn a lot from people you don't expect. 
we are not alone

I stumbled on this blog spot today. It was a pleasant surprise to my dismay I followed the yellow brick road and found the duckrabbit hole

I AM MAD about tomatoes. 

If you are anything like me your mind is easily distracted by text messages, photo comments and cute pictures of your nephew with a mustache. This helps keep me on track.

I love pictures that tell a story and I found this site to be quite moving.

It is always good to be creative but you must always know your basics. As a beginner future journalist in multimediaphotojournalistfilmmakerscreenwriterpoliticalreporterslasheverythingelseinbetween there is always a starting point. Thank you for making it clear

Lets be honest, the picture is catching and not in a good way. BUT nevertheless a great site. I honor these anonymous folks keep up the good fight! Someday I will post a great story. Don't look at the naked people

Perhaps we should buy foreign sometimes and not always domestic. If you get my drift...I tripped and found a gold coin

LAST but certainly not LEAST. I consider this to be the monster dot com of multimedia journalism. click me for answers and solutions.